PUBLIC INPUT ON CREATING A POLICY AGENDA FOR AGING IN MICHIGAN
A Report On Public Forums Held Throughout Michigan On Important Aging Topics
Caregiving, Economics, Community, Health
State of Michigan Office of Services to the Aging Sharon L. Gire, MSW, Director
August 2005
IN APPRECIATION…
The Office of Services to the Aging extends its heartfelt thanks to the Content Committee members who met several times to design proposals for consideration by the public in the conduct of this project. This group of some 60 people was reconvened after the five public forums to review and refine the outcomes, and to help the Office of Services to the Aging identify common themes and overlapping issues discussed among the forums. Our appreciation, as well, to the 606 people – interested Michigan citizens – who participated in the forums. Without their suggestions, ideas, and constructive criticism, this project would have been nothing more than a meaningless exercise. And finally, a special thank you to a special group of people – the Office of Services to the Aging staff. As always, they were the glue that held this project together, and should be commended for their hard work and dedication to the older citizens of Michigan.
No one shall be excluded from participation in any service or activity because of race, age, sex, national origin, or disability, in compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
PUBLIC INPUT ON CREATING A POLICY AGENDA FOR AGING IN MICHIGAN
STATE OF MICHIGAN OFFICE OF SERVICES TO THE AGING Sharon L. Gire, MSW, Director Peggy J. Brey, MSW, Deputy Director
MISSION To promote independence and enhance the dignity of Michigan’s older persons and their families through advocacy, leadership, and innovation.
P.O. Box 30676, Lansing, MI 48909-8176 www.miseniors.net Phone: (517) 373.8230 Fax: (517) 373.4092 TDD: (517) 373.4096
The contents contained herein represent the outcomes of five public policy forums held throughout the state, and do not necessarily represent the views, policy positions, or opinions of the State of Michigan.
These “independent aging agenda events” were designed, in part, to provide input to the Policy Committee of the 2005 White House Conference on Aging. They were not sponsored, nor endorsed by the White House, and do not in any way represent policies, positions, or opinions of the 2005 White House Conference on Aging or the federal government.
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...... 5
BACKGROUND